United's best chance of the half came when Dario Jertec tried his luck from distance in the second minute of added time but saw his shot go skidding past the post to safety.

Two minutes later, O'Neill played through Baumjohann down the right-hand side, with the German cutting the ball back for Le Fondre, who buried his second goal to strike a hammer blow to the hosts on the stroke of half-time.

United largely looked toothless and in worrying signs were unable to find the back of the net for the third consecutive week, with Greek international Panagiotis Kone forcing a rare save from Andrew Redmayne in the 84th minute, while Dylan Pierias had a shot blocked three minutes later.

While Sydney were unable to increase their lead, they held firm defensively for a well-worked 2-0 win and a sixth triumph from seven matches.